NFIB member serves the Athens, Ohio area.
Carpet One Floor and Moore, Inc. is a flooring retailer serving the greater Athens area. The firm is a part of the Carpet One Co-Op; the largest in the world with over 1,000 members. They specialize in a broad selection of flooring options, Carpet One Floor and Moore also handles blinds, window treatments and wallpaper which complements their high-end selection. Owner Eric Lucas joined the Carpet One Co-Op to gain purchasing power and competitiveness against big box stores.
With eight employees, five of which are family members, the Lucas family has built a reputation based on treating the customer as one of their own. They pride themselves on being consultants, not sales people. “We do what is best for the customer. We are very transparent and honest to our clients,” said Lucas about their customer relationships. “My mom and dad started that tradition,” he added.
Carpet One Floor and Moore generally serves a 30 square mile radius around Athens, along with doing projects for a major home builder in the area. Lucas says community involvement is the best part about being a small business owner; “Athens is a great area with great people. We help with community fundraisers, sponsor little league teams, and buy fair animals to support the people that support us.”
The business faces challenges when competing with online vendors because of online sales tax evasion. Additionally, when the retailer has to subcontract some of their work, the government often forces them to claim the workers as their employees, even though they are employed under the subcontracted business. Lastly, simplifications in the use tax code would help them with out-of-state transactions as they are close to the West Virginia line.
About NFIB, Lucas says, “The organization works for us. We continue to be members because we need representation.”
Find out more about the business at http://www.carpetonefloornmooreathens.com/
